WindowView — Science

Perspectives

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The 'Standard Story'

We use the term 'standard
story' to identify the concepts and assumptions behind Darwin's
theory on evolution. Much of this is what is taught openly in class rooms
in public and private schools. The same assumptions have been used repeatedly
over a long time. The use of the term 'standard story' is not meant to be
a negative characterization. This simply points to a current practice. By
contrast, the window's view highlights added information that is generally
not included in open discussions on evolution. Like turning over a rock, or
looking at the other side of a coin, the scientific data provide a viewpoint
beyond Darwinism. This is simply already there for the looking, if one is
willing!

Darwinism assumes long
periods of geologic time [gradualism] can account for changes that 'should
result' in biological life forms if evolution is true. Such changes are also
a product of a natural process that ends up selecting the best result (natural
selection), but a result no less that by definition comes from 'trial and
error.' Therefore it's chance that appears to produce positive results leading
to higher more complex life forms. Logically that would take time. We do in
fact see evidence for natural selection in a more limited context. But that
is not enough to explain evolution in its greater context.

Few in science take
make the effort to model evolution in a way that calculates the time required
to make the entire scheme of Darwinian evolution workable. Those who have
made such calculations find the answers contradict the expectations for a
natural, material process of evolution. The standard story is simply told
over and over without rigorous review. Why challenge a story that on the surface
looks to be a functional solution. But that's the problem, it looks like it
works, but that's not what one finds upon further review. Since Darwin's day
scientific quality control has been lacking.

What do we see today? The data tell us life appeared quickly — in geologic terms — appeared
with complexity, is based on highly specific information (in DNA and cell
features) that has no explanation for its relatively rapid and complex origin.
Yes, over short time frames science sees an evolution of species from related
species (microevolution), but nothing much beyond that (not macroevolution).
The standard story often forgets to account for the mechanisms that came before.
How did chemicals give rise to life in the first place? What made that possible?
Anything? Chemistry and physics pose barriers without explanations to help
the story move forward. The assumption is we are here, so evolution must have
happened. That's the assumption.

Today the standard
story is being challenged by the same scientific evidence that's
used by evolutionists. This reveals the standard story is not on solid ground
— including data ranging from fossils to recent molecular evidence. To
see this, we encourage constructive but critical thinking. Our review of these
topics is not an effort to discredit science. In fact, ironically, it's members
of the scientific community that are now reviewing the problems with the standard
story!

The idea today is to
put aside misinformation and to offer additional, viable perspectives. That
was what we were taught science is all about. We just never saw it happen
like this before now! In fact, much of the evidence for evolution — when
examined carefully — reveals something very different from what many
academics or the popular media told us previously.

Seeing what
is extra ordinary beyond the standard story is the pivotal
point in the Science Area at WindowView. We are identifying something special without
trying to win any debate ... this is the simplest goal here ... and achieving that goal is enough
... it tells us something awesome about life's existence.

This opens the floor
for discussions elsewhere — that too is a key goal. But if
the mindset that comes with the standard story is unjustifiably limiting,
then let's understand why and explore beyond imposed limitations. The
standard story states we are here by chance? If
not, then what conclusions remain for you to consider or adopt? This is the reason for looking through the window!

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For a general listing of books, visit the WindowView Book Page for: Science and Scripture .

References of Interest

Step Up To Life

Time spent looking ... through a window on life and choice ... brings the opportunity to see in a new light. The offer for you to Step Up To Life is presented on many of the web pages at WindowView. Without further explanation we offer you the steps here ... knowing that depending on what you have seen or may yet explore in the window ... these steps will be the most important of your life ...